Emergencies don’t wait — and in Calgary, they can happen at any time. From floods and wildfires to extreme weather and extended power outages, local emergencies can disrupt daily life with little warning. Emergency Preparedness Week (May 3–9) is a timely reminder that taking steps before a crisis happens can make all the difference in how well you and your loved ones cope when it does. 

“Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere,” says Sue Henry, Chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA). “While we can’t always prevent emergencies, we can take steps to prepare for them.” 

Being prepared isn’t about fear — it’s about confidence. Knowing the risks in your community, having a simple emergency plan, and understanding where to get reliable information can help you make quicker, safer decisions during stressful situations. When individuals and households are prepared, communities are better equipped to support one another and recover faster. 

During Emergency Preparedness Week, Calgarians are encouraged to learn about the hazards that exist in Calgary and the actions they can take to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.

The City has tools and resources at calgary.ca/getready to help Calgarians get prepared.

Residents can download The City’s fillable Emergency Action Plan template and personalize it with information to help everyone in their household know what to do and who to contact in an emergency. The action plan is available in multiple languages.

The City also provides emergency preparedness videos with tips to help Calgarians prepare and protect their homes and families in the event of a disaster. Our Ready Squad program is a free online program for kids ages 7-12 to help them learn about emergency preparedness in a fun and engaging way.

Calgarians can also visit our emergency preparedness booth at the following locations throughout EP Week to learn tips on how they can prepare their households for emergencies.

DateTimeLocationTuesday, May 52:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Central Library (Welcome Gallery)

800 3 Street S.E.

Thursday, May 74 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Village Square Leisure Centre

2623 56 Street N.E.

Friday, May 812 p.m. (noon) – 4 p.m.

Genesis Centre

7555 Falconridge Blvd. N.E.

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